Health Disparities Expert Named Chair of Department of Radiation Oncology

Mack Roach III, MD, professor of radiation oncology and urology, has been named chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology.

"Dr. Roach is recognized as one of America's leading authorities on the use of radiation to treat localized prostate cancer and as a prominent crusader against health care disparities," says David Kessler, MD, dean of the UCSF School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs.

Roach has served the department as director of clinical research since 2001, as vice chair since 2003 and as interim chair since January 2006.

The selection was made after a nationwide search by a committee led by Margaret Tempero, MD, chief of medical oncology.

Roach led one of the most important prospective randomized RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group) trials involving radiation therapy, one that demonstrated the value of pelvic nodal radiotherapy for patients with high-risk prostate cancer, Kessler noted in his announcement of the appointment. Roach is also considered to be a pioneer in the use of 3D-conformal-intensity modulated radiotherapy and in image-guided radiotherapy, having popularized the use of online portal imaging.